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  • Malaysians on tenterhooks after Johor Regent takes on Selangor Sultan in public domain

    The football drama in Malaysia has reached fever-pitch, with the spotlight now on the Johor and Selangor palaces. The post Malaysians on tenterhooks after Johor Regent takes on Selangor Sultan in public domain appeared first on Twentytwo13.

  • Gareth Southgate: ‘I am the problem’

    Gareth Southgate has admitted being England’s major problem at the European Championship, plunging his future as manager in doubt beyond the tournament.

  • Transfer news LIVE! Arsenal move for Kounde rejected, Gyokeres; Dewsbury-Hall to Chelsea; Man Utd eye De Ligt

    Follow the latest deals, updates, rumours and gossip across the summer window

  • Euro 2024 last 16: tie-by-tie analysis

    The first knockout stage has some intriguing matches, including Spain against Georgia and France taking on Belgium

  • Arsenal confirm summer transfer as newest signing reveals key reason behind move

    The Gunners have bolstered their goalkeeping ranks as they continue to plan for a bright future

  • Euro 2024: Last-16 fixtures, results, knockout schedule, group standings

    Knockout stages are now set for Euro 2024

  • Watch: Cristiano Ronaldo saved by stewards as fan jumps from stands at Euro 2024

    Cristiano Ronaldo was at the centre of another European Championship security scare after a fan almost landed on him jumping from the stands.

  • LeBron James' son Bronny drafted by dad's LA Lakers

    Bronny James is picked by the Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA draft, bringing his father LeBron's dream of playing alongside his son a step closer.

  • NBA Draft: Lakers select Tennessee star Dalton Knecht with No. 17 overall pick after surprising slide

    Dalton Knecht, 23, was the oldest player selected in the draft when the Lakers picked him at No. 17.

  • 2024 NBA Draft: Winners and losers from the first round, featuring the Spurs, Grizzlies and France

    Here is a stab at a first draft of history — a thumbnail sketch of who had a pretty good first night of the 2024 NBA Draft, and who might wind up looking back at the evening wistfully, with some regret.

  • France to face Belgium in last-16 at Euro 2024 as line-up takes shape

    France and Belgium, the world's second and third best teams respectively in the Fifa rankings, will meet in the last-16 at Euro 2024 next Monday in Dusseldorf after the line-up for the knockout stages was completed on Wednesday night. Georgia, who are competing at the competition for the first time, beat Portugal 2-0 to move into the last-16 where they will face Spain. "I don't have a lot of words so I will try to stay basic and say that I'm so proud of the players because what an image they hav

  • 2024 NBA Draft grades: First-round pick-by-pick analysis

    Here are Yahoo Sports' complete first-round draft grades.

  • England players’ families caught in crossfire of Southgate backlash and showered with beer at Euros

    England players’ families were soaked “from all angles” when caught in the crossfire of fans throwing plastic beer cups after the Euro 2024 draw against Slovenia on Tuesday.

  • Why Finns are deadly serious about hobby horsing

    A buzz of excitement crackled through the hushed arena as the rider gripped the reins of her stuffed steed.Welcome to the strangely exacting world of hobby horsing, the Finnish sport guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Immaculately-coiffed equestrians leap athletically over fences just like in horse jumping, going as fast as they can against the clock straddling their stick steeds.Things are more stately in the dressage, with riders trotting their stick horses with intricately decorated stuffed heads before the discerning eyes of the judges.Some 260 riders from 22 countries -- most women and girls aged between 10 and 20 -- turned up to compete at the 11th annual Finnish championship held in the town of Seinajoki.But despite its vast international reach, from the Arctic to Argentina, hobby horsing is a sport that dares not speak its name.- 'Insane' athleticism -Despite its soaring popularity, it is not officially recognised as a proper sport in its birthplace."We have faced so much bullying and judgement," rider Nara Arlin, 24, told AFP."We know what everyone in the hobby horsing has been through... I think that is the main thing that pulls us together."First invented in Finland more than a decade ago, hobby horsing has taken off at a gallop across the globe. "It is growing every year," said Julia Mikkonen, the chair of the Finnish hobby horse association.This year's championship was "the biggest we have had so far", she added.Beyond the whimsy, great strength and skill is required to jump the obstacles while holding the hobby horse. Some top competitors could give elite hurdlers or gymnasts a run for their money."If you jump over obstacles your hip mobility has to be absolutely insane," said Mikkonen, 20, with some fences up to 110 centimetres (3.6 feet) tall. - 10,000 enthusiasts -"Of course we are all dreaming of having a world championship one day," said Mikkonen, who estimates there are around 10,000 hobby horsers globally."I am still a bit breathless but I am happy with my performance", said 19-year-old Jojo Hanninen as she sat down after her dressage event. To succeed in the sport you have to channel your inner centaur, she said."In hobby horsing, my legs are the horse... I am both horse and human," she said. Hanninen's hobby horse is a grey called Toope, with glittery reins and pink ribbons adorning its white mane.- Welcoming community -Competitors go to great lengths with their horses -- which are also exhibited and judged -- modelling and sewing the heads and adorning them with decorations.  "Hobby horses are art," said Arlin, who makes her own.With the cheers of the crowd still ringing in her ears after an impressive show jumping round, she hailed the sport as "the best hobby ever"."You are doing so many things with your hands, brain and the whole body."Like many of her peers, Arlin found hobby horsing through play as a child. "But the older I became, it became more serious," said the rider, who trains by riding real horses, working out in the gym and doing pole dancing.Rainbow flags in the arena reflected the tolerant values underpinning the community.   "Horses are mostly seen as a girls' sport, but that is not correct. Anyone can come no matter what gender," Mikkonen said.   Every enthusiast AFP spoke to praised the welcoming community that kept them devoted to hobby horsing despite the scornful attitudes all encountered at some point."We have each other's backs," said Arlin. ank/po/fg/smw

  • Numbers game: 10 statistics that tell the story of Euro 2024’s group stage

    England rank 20th out of 24 in attempts on goal but third in passing accuracy and first in crossing accuracy

  • Mavericks reportedly trade Tim Hardaway Jr., 3 second-round picks to Pistons for Quentin Grimes

    The Pistons takes on a contract in order to acquire future draft picks.

  • Anyone who thinks England have an easy draw at Euro 2024 needs a history lesson

    Have people forgotten the pre-Southgate tournament record across a long period – including defeat by Iceland?

  • Max Verstappen pledges future to Red Bull despite Mercedes rumours

    Max Verstappen said: ‘Yes, we’re already also working on next year’s car,’ when asked directly if he would be at Red Bull in 2025

  • Washington Wizards take French 7-footer Alex Sarr with the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft

    Alex Sarr will obviously face some pressure as the No. 2 pick in the NBA draft. “We're not going to put a specific timeline on the rebuild here,” Wizards general manager Will Dawkins said. The Wizards drafted Sarr with the second pick Wednesday night, using their highest selection in 14 years to add some much-needed size to a team that won only 15 games last season.

  • Slovakia scouting report: The ex-coffee salesman plotting England’s downfall

    England will undoubtedly be the favourites for their round of 16 meeting with Slovakia at Euro 2024, but they must not be overconfident. Slovakia are potentially tricky opponents for Gareth Southgate’s team, and there are plenty of reasons for England to be concerned.